Diagnosis of anemia on computed tomography scans of the thorax

Abstract

Scans of 14 patients with hemoglobin levels of 7.6 to 10.2 grams/deciliter (gm/dL) were positive for the diagnosis of anemia. All demonstrated the interventricular septum and ascending and descending aortic walls. Scans of 23 patients with hemoglobin levels of 10.5 to 12.8 gm/dL were positive for the diagnosis of anemia in 11 and negative in 12. The ascending and descending aortic walls were seen 39% and 48% of the time, respectively. Scans of 13 patients with hemoglobin levels of 12.9 to 16.0 gm/dL were negative for the diagnosis of anemia.